A newborn baby boy died after he was bitten just once by his grandparent’s Jack Russell dog in their home, police confirmed today.
Tragic eight-day-old Harry Bell died from his injuries after the pet pooch snapped at the lad who was staying at his grandparent’s home.
Police and ambulance crews rushed to the semi-detached property in Woodside Road, Ketley, Telford, Shropshire, just after 8am on Tuesday.
Harry’s mother Mikayla, 19, was staying with her parents, Gordon Bell, 42, and Teresa, 40, when the attack happened.
The baby was rushed to The Princess Royal Hospital in Telford, Shrops., but despite desperate attempts to revive him he died soon after being admitted.
Police today stood guard outside the grandparents’ £119,000 three-bedroom semi-detached home.
Part-time model Mikayla, 19, gave birth to 7lb Harry on November 12 and posted pictures of her new baby on her Twitter page.
Posting a picture of her son wearing a cute duck baby-grow, she wrote: “My life harry 7pounds 12-11-12.”
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Heartbreakingly, just one day before her son was killed, proud Mikayla wrote: “Not gonna lie this little boy gets far to [sic] many kisses.”
Dozens of friend’s of gran Teresa, who has six children, rushed to comfort her with touching messages on her Facebook page.
Louise Boden wrote: “I’m so so sorry for your loss my heart goes out to all of you Xxxx”
Niki Yeomans added: “Such a sad time my thoughts and love go to all of you. There’s nothing we can say to take it away but we are here if you need us! All our love n prayers xx”
Tragically, just a week earlier friends had been flocking to the same page to congratulate Teresa on the birth of her grandson.
Luke Norton-Smith wrote: “Congratulations Nanny and Granddad bell (sic), hope your all okay? Well done to Mikayla too X”
Neighbours said that the couple, who have been married for 20 years, had been celebrating the birth of the toddler just a week before.
A man, who did not want to be named, said: “It’s absolutely tragic, they seemed absolutely made up at getting a grandson last week and for this to happen, it’s just devastating.
“You can’t imagine what they must be going through.”
Police said yesterday a postmortem to establish the exact cause of death had yet to take place but that investigations were ongoing.
Detective Chief Inspector Neil Jamieson, of West Mercia Police, said: “Our investigation is ongoing but it appears that the baby died as a result of a dog bite.
“The dog in question was a family pet – a Jack Russell – and this animal has been put down.
“A postmortem will be taking place to establish the exact cause of this baby’s death but at this stage it does appear to be a tragic accident.
“With an investigation ongoing, there is no further comment I can make on this matter apart from to say that all our thoughts are with the family of the baby at this extremely sad time.”
wat about the poor dog! and wat about the owners surely they should be prosecuted for having a dangerous dog!
i am close to this family and the dog was nt dangerous, stop being so disrespectful, it could have happen too anyone they didnt make the dog do it.